The MBA Journey for Fall 2009

I suppose trying to chase 268 on consecutive days is asking for too much!!!

So on a high after saturday's incredible victory and a good personal performance was looking forward to setting Allentown's woes straight.

We were again asked to field as the opposition captain won the toss. This was an even hotter day, 95-98 with humidity levels approaching 75-80%. It reminded me of Delh it was so bad. The fact that we were on a serious leather hunt didnt help.

Our opponents, 'Incredibles' had the same record as us 3-3, but were rumoured to have some serious batting talent. Well, it took them about 5 overs to get used to the true track and thick outfield and then boom! We were being shellacked like no tomorrow. One of their openers hit a brilliant chanceless hundred before something awful occurred.

Around over 35, with the score already on 210 the opener charged down the track. Our bowler banged it in short, the ball hit a top edge and slammed into his nose. He was down immediately and bleeding profusely through the nose. It certainly didnt look good and ultimatly an ambulance had to be called. According to Divya, he probably broke his nose in multiple places. Real tough luck and one of the worst injuries I have seen on a cricket field.

They finished up on 267. After a tough outing in the field I was out to open as usual with fellow regular Negi.

We started cautiously, Negi got a couple of 4's to get us started. I then started my boundary roll with a pull. Another couple of good overs from the opposition kept us quiet. They were doing a remarkable job considering they were fielding with nine (one player had escorted the injured player to the hospital). 8 overs had only garnered 31 for us.

The ninth over we got back on track, first ball was short of a length and I pulled it for 4. Next ball was fuller and lofted it over mid on for another 4. Third ball was better and I safely defended it. They tried to trap me by posting a deep mid wicket, however the bowler tried to bowl a slower one. I saw it from the hand, took it on the full and deposited it over the deep mid wicket for 6. The bowler then bowled a wide and i chipped him over mid off for another couple. 17 off the over and 49 from 9 overs painted a better picture.

I was struggling to breathe and was losing strength rapidly. Despite constant rehydration I was really struggling. At drinks we were 70/1 after 13 overs. I really felt sick during the break. I went back in and was struggling to do anything … I put away a full toss but was struggling to place the ball anywhere. Ultimately I swung across the line and was plumb in front. I had 3 lives in the innings; dropped at mid off, dropped my keeper and dropped by slip. So certainly not one of my better innings but I tried as hard as I could given my physical state.

We had a small chance to win but some insipid batting in the middle overs by our captain effectively ended the match as a contest. Charlie got back into form with a storming 59 and we ended up at 228 all out.

On a personal note, I added 34 to my season total but once again did not convert my start.

Allentown is now 3-4 and slipping fast.

Advertisements

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

One Response

All I hear here these days is football. But there, cricket seems to be your whole world. Its like this NYT peice i read, don’t remember the writer. He said he was so happy US was out of the race cause he could not switch to more intelligent things that watching 22 grown men chase a foot ball.